Built in Kolkata, Rabi Rashmi Abasan[7] is India’s first completely solar-powered housing complex. The complex has been built on a plot of 1.76 acres at Action Area I[8] in New Town. The 58 kilowatt project consists of 26 photovoltaic systems comprising 464 units of Conergy[9] C125W solar modules. The solar modules were customized to fit on the building roofs. Each home will generate 2kW of power. The solar power generated will be used to fulfill electricity needs of the homes, and the surplus power will be sent to the public grid. This is also India’s first building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV)[10] project. The building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system would save 0.5 kgs of carbon emissions for every kw hour of solar power produced.

The houses will have both[11] passive solar architecture and active solar energy features. The passive solar features will make houses cool during summer, ensure natural light, and better air circulation inside the house. The active solar energy elements include the solar water heating system. The housing complex will also have other sustainable features like garbage management system, battery operated pick-up vans for residents, solar street lights, and a swimming pool with solar water heating system.